What are GCSEs, IGCSEs, AS and A Levels?
GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education whereas IGCSE stands for International General Certificate of Secondary Education. Both GCSEs and IGCSEs can be seen as high school leaving exams satisfying graduation requirements. AS (Advanced Subsidiary) and A (Advanced) Levels are advanced qualifications, taken after the GCSEs or IGCSEs. All qualifications are available in selected schools in the UK and to a lesser extent in the USA; private candidates can also take many of these examinations at Registered Examination Centres.
Qualifications are obtained on completion of the examinations. For learners who want to follow an academic programme, there are a number of subjects available to follow, with curricula, teaching resources, and sample assessments available online. For learners who want qualifications for further education or employment opportunities, it is important to do well in GCSE, IGCSE, AS and A Level examinations.
For more detailed information, please refer to IGCSEs and GCSES and AS and A Levels.
Qualifications are obtained on completion of the examinations. For learners who want to follow an academic programme, there are a number of subjects available to follow, with curricula, teaching resources, and sample assessments available online. For learners who want qualifications for further education or employment opportunities, it is important to do well in GCSE, IGCSE, AS and A Level examinations.
For more detailed information, please refer to IGCSEs and GCSES and AS and A Levels.
What is the Cambridge Pathway (CAIE)?
The Cambridge Pathway is offered by the University of Cambridge Assessment International Examinations (CAIE). It encompasses high quality curricula for high schoolers in a wide variety of subjects. One of the strengths of the Cambridge Pathway is that students can complete high school graduation requirements, as part of a broad and balanced curriculum, at the end of Grade 10, and then concentrate on pre-college courses, A Levels or other curriculum choices.
NOTE that schools, colleges and universities in the USA have different high school graduation requirements, so check them if you plan to do an accelerated high school schedule to finish after Grade 10.
Growing in popularity in the USA, CAIE subjects have been available in the UK for many years. Of course, other examination boards such as AQA, Edexcel, OCR, and WJEC also offer a range of examination subjects in the UK. The internationally accredited, rigorous qualifications allow students to take a more flexible approach to their education, whilst attaining qualifications that are recognised in US universities as well as in the UK.
For more detailed information about the Cambridge Pathway in the USA or the UK, visit their homepage.
NOTE that schools, colleges and universities in the USA have different high school graduation requirements, so check them if you plan to do an accelerated high school schedule to finish after Grade 10.
Growing in popularity in the USA, CAIE subjects have been available in the UK for many years. Of course, other examination boards such as AQA, Edexcel, OCR, and WJEC also offer a range of examination subjects in the UK. The internationally accredited, rigorous qualifications allow students to take a more flexible approach to their education, whilst attaining qualifications that are recognised in US universities as well as in the UK.
For more detailed information about the Cambridge Pathway in the USA or the UK, visit their homepage.
What are the ICE and AICE Diplomas?
The AICE programme (Advanced International Certificate of Education) and the pre-AICE programme, the ICE Diploma (International Certificate of Education) are designed to support the CAIE examinations offered to schooled students. Each programme is based on a two-year curriculum. The AICE and ICE Diplomas are no longer available to private candidates because the compulsory AS or A Level Global Perspectives has school-based coursework that makes it difficult for private candidates to complete. Private candidates may wish to complete an AICE-style curriculum, even though they will not sit the Global Perspectives exam.
Please refer to the CAIE website for more information on the ICE and AICE Diplomas,
Please refer to the CAIE website for more information on the ICE and AICE Diplomas,
Who can take GCSEs, IGCSEs, AS and A Levels?
Anyone can, as long as the syllabus material is suitable to age and ability. If a private candidate wants to take examinations in any subject, they must first find a Registered Centre that will allow access to private candidates. Then the private candidate has the flexibility of choosing the subjects needed for a broad and balanced education, or choosing subjects for interest, if final examinations and qualifications are not the focus. For more information, you can refer to the following:
IGCSEs and GCSEs
AS and A Levels
Private Candidates
All About Examinations
IGCSEs and GCSEs
AS and A Levels
Private Candidates
All About Examinations
What are private candidates or external candidates?
A private candidate or external candidate is seen by the examination boards as someone who is not enrolled in the Registered Examination Centre where they will take the final examination papers. These candidates take on full responsibility for completing their studies, finding and corresponding with a Centre that accepts private or candidates, and turning up for examinations on time. Please refer to Private Candidates for more information.
Who can teach me if I am a private candidate?
You can always teach yourself! Alternatively, parents, guardians, or tutors can teach you. Any teacher who is knowledgeable in the subject can teach a private candidate. It can be helpful to be taught or tutored by someone who has specific knowledge and experience teaching the examination syllabus. However, teachers do not have to be certified by the examination board to teach private candidates, even if they are certified to teach in schools. If you need help with teachers, you might find Distance Learning Courses useful.
How many subjects should I take?
This really depends on what you want out of the experience. If you want to have a high school diploma or recognition that you have covered a broad and balanced curriculum, you should go to https://www.cambridgeinternational.org and read the sections on the ICE and AICE Diplomas. The range of subjects in different groups allows you to make choices while at the same time helping you cover what is necessary to compete with your high-schooled peers in the USA. NOTE: Please check with your state's high school graduation requirements, as well as looking at admission requirements for colleges or universities, as there may be other courses that you will need to do.
If you are in the UK and are thinking about going to university, you usually need to get a minimum of five GCSE or IGCSE passes, at least C grades in IGCSE Mathematics and English Language, as well as three A Level grades. Again, if you are looking at specific universities to attend, check their admission requirements.
If you are in the UK and are thinking about going to university, you usually need to get a minimum of five GCSE or IGCSE passes, at least C grades in IGCSE Mathematics and English Language, as well as three A Level grades. Again, if you are looking at specific universities to attend, check their admission requirements.
Where are the examination centres?
Private candidates can only take examinations at Registered Examination Centres in the USA and in the UK. There are many Centres in the UK and in the USA, but as no Centre has to accept private candidates, it is up to you to be respectful and responsible when approaching a Centre. Please refer to Examination Centres and Timetables for further information. For specific information from the examination boards, please view their pages on private candidates:
AQA Private Candidates
CAIE Private Candidates
OCR Privates Candidates
Pearson Edexcel Private Candidates
WJEC Private Candidates
AQA Private Candidates
CAIE Private Candidates
OCR Privates Candidates
Pearson Edexcel Private Candidates
WJEC Private Candidates
What GCSEs, IGCSEs, AS or A Levels are needed for college or university admission?
In the USA, CAIE IGCSEs, AS and A Level subjects are becoming more commonplace in the curriculum. Some states, such as Florida, have been using CAIE subjects for many years, and passing grades at AS and A Level count for college credit. For specific colleges and universities in the USA, please visit the CAIE website to find out what is needed for admission purposes.
In the UK, you usually need GCSE or IGCSE Mathematics and English Language at ‘C’ grade or above, in addition to a balance of other GCSEs or IGCSEs. You also usually need 3 A Level passes to get an offer from a UK university.
If you are a US student taking CAIE examinations, and you want to apply to UK universities, look at the admission requirements for international students on the university's website. You may be able to skip IGCSEs if you are doing Honors or AP classes at your local school. The universities may also accept a mixture of A Levels and SAT or ACT tests. There are many variables, so research this option carefully or contact me, as there is a specific process to follow for correct application procedures.
In the UK, you usually need GCSE or IGCSE Mathematics and English Language at ‘C’ grade or above, in addition to a balance of other GCSEs or IGCSEs. You also usually need 3 A Level passes to get an offer from a UK university.
If you are a US student taking CAIE examinations, and you want to apply to UK universities, look at the admission requirements for international students on the university's website. You may be able to skip IGCSEs if you are doing Honors or AP classes at your local school. The universities may also accept a mixture of A Levels and SAT or ACT tests. There are many variables, so research this option carefully or contact me, as there is a specific process to follow for correct application procedures.
Where can I get past examination papers?
For each examination board, first go to the examination board's website and check on the subject syllabus or specification page. There is usually a set of past papers as well as marking schemes to check the answers. Also refer to All About Examinations.
Where can I get subject-specific resources?
The internet is a valuable resource for many of the subject material for all subjects. You can also check the examination board's websites to see if there are more resources added for each subject. Or contact me.
When do the examinations take place?
AQA examinations are offered in summer and winter sessions. The timetable is made available to the private candidates after they have entered for the subjects at a Registered Examination Centre.
For CAIE candidates, examinations take place in May/June and in October/November each year whether you are in the UK or the US. There are also March examinations in India.
Pearson Edexcel examinations are offered in January, June, and October, depending on the assessment type.
NOTE: As we have experienced great disruption to examinations (with all exam boards) since 2020 due to COVID-19, there are continued conversations over exam session dates and assessments. Make sure to keep in contact with the Exams Officer at your chosen Registered Examination Centre for the most up-to-date information.
For CAIE candidates, examinations take place in May/June and in October/November each year whether you are in the UK or the US. There are also March examinations in India.
Pearson Edexcel examinations are offered in January, June, and October, depending on the assessment type.
NOTE: As we have experienced great disruption to examinations (with all exam boards) since 2020 due to COVID-19, there are continued conversations over exam session dates and assessments. Make sure to keep in contact with the Exams Officer at your chosen Registered Examination Centre for the most up-to-date information.
What support can I get?
If you are doing Cambridge examinations as a private candidate, it may seem like a daunting challenge. However, there is plenty of support for you. If you feel that you need a distance learning course please refer to Distance Learning Courses. Make sure if you are in the USA that the distance learning course is offering CAIE examinations as no other examination board can be easily taken in the USA. You can find out if there are any other private candidates in your area, or visit forum boards such as The Student Room. You can also look at Tutorial Support if you want an experienced tutor.
Drop me an email at samantha@eddistutorial.com if you have questions that have not been addressed.
Drop me an email at samantha@eddistutorial.com if you have questions that have not been addressed.
Websites need to be checked often to make sure they are still relevant and the links are still active. All websites were checked and updated: April, 2021.